Boise – “The Changing Face of Agriculture” was the theme of this year’s Idaho Ag Summit.
Several hundred farmers, ranchers and other leaders of the state’s agricultural industry discussed a wide array of topics during the Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit in Boise Feb. 18.
The changing nature of agriculture, and how to adapt, was a main area of discussion during the summit.
“We seem to always live in a sea of change,” said Larry Branen, the retired University of Idaho researcher who the conference is named for.
Branen, who was raised on a farm near Wilder, retired in 2010 after 25 years of service to U of I and has served as the dean of the university’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
He said the conference, since 1995, has been one of the highlights for Idaho agriculture and added that “we have been able to come together and discuss emerging trends and challenges in agriculture.”
While plenty of change is happening in agriculture, it’s happening as well in Washington, D.C., keynote speaker Cody Lyon of American Farm Bureau Federation told Ag Summit participants.
“This is an unbelievably unique time,” said Lyon, AFBF’s managing director of advocacy and political affairs programs.
What will happen in D.C. and with issues important to agriculture, such as immigration, tariffs, trade and the need for a new Farm Bill, is now known at this time, Lyon said, but he encouraged the ag industry to remain engaged.
He also reminded them that polls show Americans strongly support farmers and ranchers.
“The worst thing to do is pull back and do nothing,” Lyon said. “The one thing you don’t ever do is quit. I know the people in agriculture never quit.”
Change is natural and unavoidable, but adapting to it is a choice, said Braden Jensen, the co-chair of this year’s summit, who added: “Idaho agriculture is the backbone of Idaho’s economy and it’s woven into the state’s character.”
Several of the people who have helped weave agriculture into Idaho’s character over the years were honored at Ag Summit, including Michael Parrella, dean of U of I’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, who will retire in June after serving nine years as CALS dean.
Parrella received a special lifetime achievement award that is not given at Ag Summit every year but is one that is presented to individuals “who have had a very, very broad influence on Idaho agriculture,” said Ag Summit Executive Director Rick Waitley.
While presenting the award, Waitley read off a long list of accomplishments that Parrella has achieved during his time as dean.
The award plaque reads: “Michael Parrella, recognized for vision, leadership and contribution to the success and accomplishments of Idaho agriculture.”
“He has truly been a great leader for Idaho agriculture,” Branen said, and Jensen added: “You have truly left your mark on this state and the ag industry.”
Parrella said it was an incredible honor to receive the award and that it was really an award for all of CALS and the Vandal family.
“As the dean of a college, you can only do certain things,” he said. “You need a team of people that work together … tirelessly, buy into the vision and make things happen.”
Parrella was also one of five people who received Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Agriculture during the summit. His award was for education/advocacy.
Parrella is credited with being the vision behind several major infrastructure projects undertaken or completed by CALS during his tenure there.
“Dr. Parrella’s fingerprints are on many … projects that have come into existence while under his direction ...,” his award bio reads.
North Idaho Wheat farmer Bill Flory received a governor’s award for technical innovation. He has been farming since 1976 and manages a diversified farm in northcentral Idaho that grows wheat, malt barley, oats, bluegrass, canola, garbanzo beans and hay.
“Bill has supported the wheat industry for decades in many capacities,” his award bio states … “Fiscal conservatism and responsibility have always been a priority, ensuring wheat farmers throughout the state received a beneficial return on investment through research, education and outreach, and market development, both overseas and domestically.”
Brent Olmstead, who received a governor’s award for marketing innovation, has served Idaho agriculture in many capacities over the years.
“Brent Olmstead’s life has had a constant connection to agriculture,” his award bio states.
That includes working on the family farm, for John Deere, consulting for Milk Producers of Idaho and working for University of Idaho as its associate dean for government affairs and external relations.
His award bio says he has “worked tirelessly on advancing issues in agriculture, natural resources, immigration and the environment.”
Former Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Celia Gould received a governor’s award for lifetime achievement. Gould was the longest-serving ISDA director in Idaho history and is also a life-long rancher. She served 16 years in the Idaho Legislature and 16 years as ISDA director.
“Few Idahoans have had such a tremendous impact on agriculture as Celia Gould,” her award bio states.
She was introduced for the award by former Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, who appointed Gould as ISDA director in 2006. He pointed out she led the ag department through a tough economic time and kept it running efficiently despite sustaining severe budget cuts.
According to her award bio, “She successfully led the agency through some of the most severe budget cuts in Idaho history, without cutting services to Idaho’s producers.”
“There are few people who understand every aspect of the Idaho agriculture industry like Celia Gould,” said Gov. Brad Little.
Southern Idaho farmer Blake Matthews was awarded a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Environmental Stewardship.
Matthews farms alongside his father on a 2,700-acre diversified operation in the Oakley basin and they grow crops such as potatoes, sugarbeets, malt barley, corn, wheat and alfalfa.
The Matthews family also raises cow-calf pairs and operates a cattle feedlot.
According to his award bio, Matthews “has worked closely with his agronomist over the past 14 years testing and adopting various products, procedures and practices across his farm to improve soil health, restore organic material to the ecosystem, reduce pest and disease pressure, increase yield and limit input costs.”
Jensen said the award recipients’ efforts have shaped, and are shaping, the future of agriculture.
“You guys are truly an inspiration to us all,” he said. “Thank you for all you do for this state.”
During the conference, U of I Agricultural Economist Brett Wilder pointed out how important agriculture is to the state’s economy, noting that the agriculture industry is responsible for one in every nine jobs in Idaho, 17 percent of the state’s total economic output and 13 percent of Idaho’s gross state product.
He also noted that chicken eggs have become one of the state’s top agricultural commodities in terms of total farm-gate receipts, which is what the farmer or rancher receives directly for their commodity.
U of I economists forecast that the chicken egg sector in Idaho brought in $166 million in farm-gate receipts in 2024, which would make eggs one of Idaho’s main ag commodities.
“Chicken eggs is probably going to be one of our top 10 (ag) commodities now,” Wilder said.